In the vast and complex world of aquaculture, a significant breakthrough has recently emerged from the lab of Natthawut Chanlek. A researcher at the Aquatic Science and Innovative Management Division, Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand. His work, published in ‘Aquaculture Reports’, focuses on the Bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana), a species notoriously difficult to rear in captivity due to its finicky eating habits. This research could revolutionize the aquaculture industry, particularly for energy-intensive sectors relying on sustainable protein sources.
The Bigfin reef squid, a cephalopod prized for its delicate meat and potential as a sustainable seafood source, has long been a challenge for aquaculturists. Unlike many other species, these squid do not readily accept artificial diets during their early post-hatching phase. This has hindered large-scale farming efforts, making it economically unfeasible to produce them commercially.
Chanlek’s research tackles this issue head-on. By testing thirty sources of protein and seven of carbohydrate for in vitro digestibility using digestive enzymes from the squid’s viscera, he identified several suitable ingredients. Among the top performers were blue swimming crab, catfish, emperor fish, Indian anchovy, Indian mackerel, Nile tilapia, Pacific white shrimp, striped catfish, trash fish, and yellow-stripe scad for protein. For carbohydrates, corn starch, potato starch, and rice flour showed promising results. Chanlek explains, “These ingredients could be key to developing an artificial diet that Bigfin reef squid will accept, making large-scale farming more viable.”
But the breakthrough didn’t stop at ingredient identification. Chanlek and his team conducted in vivo preliminary investigations, discovering that eight-day-old Bigfin reef squid accepted a moist feed made from red emperor fish, striped catfish, and Pacific white shrimp in a 1:1:1 ratio. The squid not only accepted the feed but showed increasing acceptance rates over time, reaching 100% on day four. “The squid accepted the feed on the first day of training,” Chanlek noted, highlighting the potential for rapid adaptation to artificial diets.
This research opens up exciting possibilities for the aquaculture industry. By identifying suitable feed ingredients and demonstrating the potential for early acceptance of moist feed, Chanlek’s work paves the way for more efficient and sustainable farming practices. This could lead to a significant reduction in the energy and resources required to rear these squid, making them a more attractive option for commercial aquaculture.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As the world seeks more sustainable protein sources, the ability to farm Bigfin reef squid efficiently could reduce the reliance on energy-intensive livestock farming. This shift could contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions and a more sustainable food system. Chanlek’s findings, published in ‘Aquaculture Reports’, could be a game-changer, not just for squid farming, but for the broader aquaculture industry.